Who invented the three-fin thruster surfboard setup in 1980?

Simon Anderson invented the three-fin thruster surfboard setup in 1980.

Anderson, an Australian professional surfer and shaper, developed the design to combine the drive of a single fin with the control of a twin-fin board. He first used the setup successfully in competition in 1981, winning the Bells Beach Classic and the Pipeline Masters.

The thruster places one larger fin near the tail’s center and two smaller side fins. This arrangement became the dominant configuration for high-performance shortboards because it offers stability, turning control, and release during maneuvers.

The design is sometimes confused with the twin fin, which has two side fins and no center fin. Simon Anderson’s invention did not eliminate other configurations, but it became the standard equipment choice for much of modern shortboard surfing.